Bluesky reveals what Bluesky+ might look like at launch
Bluesky aims to set itself apart from what most platforms offer
Bluesky, the decentralized social networking platform, has steadily gained traction as a unique alternative to traditional, centralized social media.
With its commitment to privacy and user control, Bluesky has quickly captured the attention of users looking for a fresh approach to online interaction. As it grows, the platform has significantly improved to compete with major players like X (formerly Twitter) and Threads, introducing features like video support.
In line with these upgrades, Bluesky announced a few weeks ago that it plans to introduce monetization with a paid subscription tier, "Bluesky+", but with a unique twist: paid subscribers won’t receive preferential treatment when it comes to account ranking or visibility. Now, the platform has released a teaser of what Bluesky+ might offer.
Based on the mockup, Bluesky+ could cost $8 monthly or $72 annually. For this subscription, users may gain access to a variety of premium features, including profile customizations like new avatar frames and colour options, higher quality video uploads, and even inline post translations to help bridge language gaps. Additional perks could include post analytics, bookmark folders, and custom app icons.
One feature that stands out in the mockup is the "profile badge," which could function as a form of verification, similar to X’s Twitter Blue. This is noteworthy because Bluesky has previously emphasized that it wouldn’t offer any form of preferential treatment, so a profile badge might go against that principle. However, it’s important to note that Bluesky has stated all features shown are subject to change, so the profile badge could eventually be reworked or replaced with something else.
Louis Eriakha
Despite this, Bluesky’s approach to adding paid tiers while maintaining fairness and avoiding the pitfalls of other platforms could help it stand out. This would allow the platform to compete with giants like X without adopting the same issues that users often face elsewhere.
Though the details are still being finalized, Bluesky+ marks a significant shift for the platform as it ventures into the world of paid features. For users seeking an alternative to mainstream social networks, it’s an exciting move. However, only time will tell whether it will help Bluesky compete with industry giants like Threads and X, which have user bases of 275 million and 600 million respectively.
